Arsenal Thread 2013/14

[Ronuja]

It's Arsenals' to lose now. Top of the league and have been since the start of the season. £45m invested in Ozil as the last piece of the jigsaw, can't see them bottling it now.

Nice try.

To be fair, you've lead for most of the season, bought in a very expensive very good player, the only top team to keep their manager from last season allied with a team he's supposedly been building since the breakup of the invincible's.. Just at what point is it considered yours to lose? Whilst never being taken seriously must have its upsides, there will come a point where you have to stop deflecting onto us and Chelsea.

Though Wenger has been tried building since the breakup of the invincible's, it's been more damage control for most of the past ten years. We've undeniably enjoyed the benefits of keeping a settled squad and strengthening considerably - in the form of Ozil but also the less celebrated Flamini- rather than losing our best players as has been the case in recent years. Of course there are many imponderables that determine who will win the title, much of it is down to luck, but ultimately I think the most important factor and the one most within the club's control is the quality and depth of the squad. On this count, I think you (Manchester City) are head and shoulders above both us and Chelsea, and I won't say it's yours to lose as that seems to be a phrase some don't like around here, but you are definitely favorites. I think any questions about the attitude or mentality of the side from earlier in the season have been brushed aside. Look, you have Vincent Kompany who is perhaps the best defender in the league, Yaya Toure who may be the most powerful midfielder in the league, you can lose Aguero and not even blink. What is Dzeko, third choice? He'd start easily for Chelsea and might edge Giroud for the starting spot at Arsenal as well.

Chelsea have some excellent attacking players and Mourinho has his template for boring the opposition to submission - which they do very effectively. But squad-wise I don't think they're far superior to us. I wouldn't swap anyone in our back five for theirs, and we are maybe equally strong in midfield. Giroud is a much better striker than any they have, but our shortage up front is why I think we can't be considered favorites at any point this season, unless we invest in the transfer market. But Arsenal being Arsenal, I highly doubt that. Losing Walcott is a huge blow and while Bendtner can do a job for us against lesser teams- he is playing for a transfer I just don't think we have enough in that department to go the whole distance. Sure, it might sound like I'm already making excuses and it definitely is nice to keep flying under the radar, but that is my honest assessment- if we don't buy solid backup for Giroud.

 

[BigJimLittleJim]

Don't know how well up on Arsenal fans websites you guys are, but the nutjobs at Untold Arsenal have penned an article claiming referees are favouring City now the rags are sans fergie!

<a class="postlink" href="http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/33620#comment-767268" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archiv ... ent-767268</a>

have a look at these loonies, they really are bonkers.

And another arse site spreading the lies -

<a class="postlink" href="http://justarsenal.com/do-arsenal-have-to-beat-man-city-and-officials-to-win-title/29907" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://justarsenal.com/do-arsenal-have- ... itle/29907</a>

 

[Ronuja]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10585395/Arsenal-midfielder-Santi-Cazorla-forced-to-apologise-after-appearing-to-insult-rivals-Tottenham-Hotspur-on-Twitter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... itter.html</a>

I love how much the players seem to share their fans' feelings about Tottenham. Szczesny posting 'Wonderful scenes at the Etihad' on his facebook during your 6-0 thrashing of them cracked me up.

 

[ManCitizens.]

Nice try.

To be fair, you've lead for most of the season, bought in a very expensive very good player, the only top team to keep their manager from last season allied with a team he's supposedly been building since the breakup of the invincible's.. Just at what point is it considered yours to lose? Whilst never being taken seriously must have its upsides, there will come a point where you have to stop deflecting onto us and Chelsea.

Though Wenger has been tried building since the breakup of the invincible's, it's been more damage control for most of the past ten years. We've undeniably enjoyed the benefits of keeping a settled squad and strengthening considerably - in the form of Ozil but also the less celebrated Flamini- rather than losing our best players as has been the case in recent years. Of course there are many imponderables that determine who will win the title, much of it is down to luck, but ultimately I think the most important factor and the one most within the club's control is the quality and depth of the squad. On this count, I think you (Manchester City) are head and shoulders above both us and Chelsea, and I won't say it's yours to lose as that seems to be a phrase some don't like around here, but you are definitely favorites. I think any questions about the attitude or mentality of the side from earlier in the season have been brushed aside. Look, you have Vincent Kompany who is perhaps the best defender in the league, Yaya Toure who may be the most powerful midfielder in the league, you can lose Aguero and not even blink. What is Dzeko, third choice? He'd start easily for Chelsea and might edge Giroud for the starting spot at Arsenal as well.

Chelsea have some excellent attacking players and Mourinho has his template for boring the opposition to submission - which they do very effectively. But squad-wise I don't think they're far superior to us. I wouldn't swap anyone in our back five for theirs, and we are maybe equally strong in midfield. Giroud is a much better striker than any they have, but our shortage up front is why I think we can't be considered favorites at any point this season, unless we invest in the transfer market. But Arsenal being Arsenal, I highly doubt that. Losing Walcott is a huge blow and while Bendtner can do a job for us against lesser teams- he is playing for a transfer I just don't think we have enough in that department to go the whole distance. Sure, it might sound like I'm already making excuses and it definitely is nice to keep flying under the radar, but that is my honest assessment- if we don't buy solid backup for Giroud.

This squad depth myth is ridiculous just because of one Mourinho comment. We have 4 top class strikers so no arguments there but the rest of the team really isn't covered that well. Our bench (if everyone was fit) would probably be;

Pantilimon
Richards
Nastasic
Garcia or Rodwell
Milner
Navas
Dzeko or Jovetic.

Our squad depth isn't any better than Chelseas, Mourinho just likes to deflect pressure away from his players and talk shite. A Chelsea bench consisting off Schwarzer Cole Luiz Lampard Schurle Mata Torres is just as strong as ours.

 

[Ronuja]

To be fair, you've lead for most of the season, bought in a very expensive very good player, the only top team to keep their manager from last season allied with a team he's supposedly been building since the breakup of the invincible's.. Just at what point is it considered yours to lose? Whilst never being taken seriously must have its upsides, there will come a point where you have to stop deflecting onto us and Chelsea.

Though Wenger has been tried building since the breakup of the invincible's, it's been more damage control for most of the past ten years. We've undeniably enjoyed the benefits of keeping a settled squad and strengthening considerably - in the form of Ozil but also the less celebrated Flamini- rather than losing our best players as has been the case in recent years. Of course there are many imponderables that determine who will win the title, much of it is down to luck, but ultimately I think the most important factor and the one most within the club's control is the quality and depth of the squad. On this count, I think you (Manchester City) are head and shoulders above both us and Chelsea, and I won't say it's yours to lose as that seems to be a phrase some don't like around here, but you are definitely favorites. I think any questions about the attitude or mentality of the side from earlier in the season have been brushed aside. Look, you have Vincent Kompany who is perhaps the best defender in the league, Yaya Toure who may be the most powerful midfielder in the league, you can lose Aguero and not even blink. What is Dzeko, third choice? He'd start easily for Chelsea and might edge Giroud for the starting spot at Arsenal as well.

Chelsea have some excellent attacking players and Mourinho has his template for boring the opposition to submission - which they do very effectively. But squad-wise I don't think they're far superior to us. I wouldn't swap anyone in our back five for theirs, and we are maybe equally strong in midfield. Giroud is a much better striker than any they have, but our shortage up front is why I think we can't be considered favorites at any point this season, unless we invest in the transfer market. But Arsenal being Arsenal, I highly doubt that. Losing Walcott is a huge blow and while Bendtner can do a job for us against lesser teams- he is playing for a transfer I just don't think we have enough in that department to go the whole distance. Sure, it might sound like I'm already making excuses and it definitely is nice to keep flying under the radar, but that is my honest assessment- if we don't buy solid backup for Giroud.

This squad depth myth is ridiculous just because of one Mourinho comment. We have 4 top class strikers so no arguments there but the rest of the team really isn't covered that well. Our bench (if everyone was fit) would probably be;

Pantilimon
Richards
Nastasic
Garcia or Rodwell
Milner
Navas
Dzeko or Jovetic.

Our squad depth isn't any better than Chelseas, Mourinho just likes to deflect pressure away from his players and talk shite. A Chelsea bench consisting off Schwarzer Cole Luiz Lampard Schurle Mata Torres is just as strong as ours.

Is Luiz getting benched these days? I find that surprising.

 

[blueparrot]

Though Wenger has been tried building since the breakup of the invincible's, it's been more damage control for most of the past ten years. We've undeniably enjoyed the benefits of keeping a settled squad and strengthening considerably - in the form of Ozil but also the less celebrated Flamini- rather than losing our best players as has been the case in recent years. Of course there are many imponderables that determine who will win the title, much of it is down to luck, but ultimately I think the most important factor and the one most within the club's control is the quality and depth of the squad. On this count, I think you (Manchester City) are head and shoulders above both us and Chelsea, and I won't say it's yours to lose as that seems to be a phrase some don't like around here, but you are definitely favorites. I think any questions about the attitude or mentality of the side from earlier in the season have been brushed aside. Look, you have Vincent Kompany who is perhaps the best defender in the league, Yaya Toure who may be the most powerful midfielder in the league, you can lose Aguero and not even blink. What is Dzeko, third choice? He'd start easily for Chelsea and might edge Giroud for the starting spot at Arsenal as well.

Chelsea have some excellent attacking players and Mourinho has his template for boring the opposition to submission - which they do very effectively. But squad-wise I don't think they're far superior to us. I wouldn't swap anyone in our back five for theirs, and we are maybe equally strong in midfield. Giroud is a much better striker than any they have, but our shortage up front is why I think we can't be considered favorites at any point this season, unless we invest in the transfer market. But Arsenal being Arsenal, I highly doubt that. Losing Walcott is a huge blow and while Bendtner can do a job for us against lesser teams- he is playing for a transfer I just don't think we have enough in that department to go the whole distance. Sure, it might sound like I'm already making excuses and it definitely is nice to keep flying under the radar, but that is my honest assessment- if we don't buy solid backup for Giroud.

This squad depth myth is ridiculous just because of one Mourinho comment. We have 4 top class strikers so no arguments there but the rest of the team really isn't covered that well. Our bench (if everyone was fit) would probably be;

Pantilimon
Richards
Nastasic
Garcia or Rodwell
Milner
Navas
Dzeko or Jovetic.

Our squad depth isn't any better than Chelseas, Mourinho just likes to deflect pressure away from his players and talk shite. A Chelsea bench consisting off Schwarzer Cole Luiz Lampard Schurle Mata Torres is just as strong as ours.

Is Luiz getting benched these days? I find that surprising.

He will now Matic has signed.

 

[bumbleblue]

Journo tweeting that Arsenal organizing presser for announcement Friday..Oliver Kay I think it was
edit says Monday.sorry can't post links and it is Oliver kay

 

[GunnerGer]

Journo tweeting that Arsenal organizing presser for announcement Friday..Oliver Kay I think it was
edit says Monday.sorry can't post links and it is Oliver kay

From Wengers press conference this morning.

"It looks very unlikely (anyone will be signed), it is now 23rd of January and we are not close to anyone."

 

[Anonymous]

Journo tweeting that Arsenal organizing presser for announcement Friday..Oliver Kay I think it was
edit says Monday.sorry can't post links and it is Oliver kay

From Wengers press conference this morning.

"It looks very unlikely (anyone will be signed), it is now 23rd of January and we are not close to anyone."

Apparently another commercial announcement. As your Tom Fox said recently though, you Arsenal fans aren't interested in the commercial aspects of the club. :)

 

[razman]

Arsenal fixtures in February-March
LFC (a)
ManU (h)
LFC (h)
Bayern (h)
Bayern (a)
Spurs (a)
Chelsea (a)
ManCity (h)
Everton (a)